2003 Toyota Corolla Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 4%of 720 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Toyota Corolla, 4% of the 720 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am writing with concern to see if the recall on my daughters 2003 Toyota air bag issue was truly fixed, she was involved in a traffic accident where according to everyone's opinion the airbags should have went off however they did not. Is there any way to see if the recall work was actually done by the company who states they did the repair ??”
NHTSA complaint #11395728, filed 2021-02, 190,000 miles“Got into what could've been a minor accident, but the car was totaled, however, the airbags did not even deploy. Before the accident, the seatbelt would lock at random times, which could cause an accident. I was making a u-turn on a state road. Once hit, the entire tire went under the car and the entire front came off, which was why I was surprised that the airbags did not go off.”
NHTSA complaint #10968842, filed 2017-03, 200,000 miles“I've tried to report both items to tysons Toyota in the past. The driver side window has exploded in, once while I was in the car. I'm on my third window and it rattles when the window is partially open. I fear another explosion. Second, the paint on this blue car has rusted and peeled on the roof and trunk. When I googled the year, make, model, and color, there are thousands of 2003-04 cars experiencing the same defect. Despite being an older car, there are many still on the road. Toyota claims there was no problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11374642, filed 2020-11, 90,000 miles“A vehicle was stopped in middle of street without running or lights on. Our vehicle hit parked vehicle in rear and smashed front in so not drivable but airbags did not employ at impact. Police officer verified the driver side at least should have employed upon impact. Driver is sore and bruised but not needing medical treatment to our knowledge (at this point) there are two recalls regarding misfunctioning airbags on our vehicle but the remedy is not yet available :-(”
NHTSA complaint #10722511, filed 2015-05, 155,000 miles“Many years ago I received a recall notice for the driver's side floor mat of my 2003 Toyota Corolla. The fix by Toyota was to install floor anchors to hold the floor mat in a stable position so it could not slide around. The fix worked for a few years, then the anchors broke. I paid Toyota for new anchors which again fixed the problem for some time. Recently, the anchors again failed and I will again need new anchors to stabilize the floor mat. I think Toyota should come up with a more permanent fix for this safety issue. Updated 7/20/15 updated 11/13/15”
NHTSA complaint #10726051, filed 2015-06, 115,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11006151Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11006150Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 7 | 7% |
| 2021 | 5 | 3% |
| 2020 | 12 | 4% |
| 2019 | 6 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% |
| 2017 | 9 | 5% |
| 2016 | 15 | 7% |
| 2015 | 33 | 15% |
| 2014 | 32 | 12% |
| 2013 | 10 | 5% |
| 2012 | 14 | 3% |
| 2011 | 22 | 4% |
| 2010 | 28 | 2% |
| 2009 | 42 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 2% |
| 2007 | 18 | 2% |
| 2006 | 20 | 2% |
| 2005 | 17 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 2% |
| 2003 | 31 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 12 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 10 | 6% |
| 1998 | 24 | 11% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 5 | 4% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 13 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 13% |
| 1991 | 14 | 20% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2003 Toyota Corolla
332 complaintsEngine cooling
92 complaintsVehicle speed control
77 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
61 complaintsSeat belts
38 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaintsEngine
16 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsTires
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology